Health Coverage for Dreamers Through the ACA Marketplace
What you need to know before the January 15 deadline
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, also known as "Dreamers," are eligible to apply for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace for the first time. This special enrollment period is open now and runs through January 15, 2025.
Established by President Obama in 2012, DACA offers temporary protection from deportation and work authorization to undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children. While the program doesn’t provide legal status, this new rule marks a significant step forward and allows tens of thousands of uninsured recipients access to affordable healthcare for the first time.
Key Details About Enrollment
When to Apply: Enrollment began November 1, 2024 and ends on January 15, 2025.
Who’s Eligible: Uninsured DACA recipients who file federal taxes.
What’s Included: Access to affordable plans through healthcare.gov or state marketplaces.
What’s Not Covered: DACA recipients remain ineligible for full Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) benefits.
DACA recipients have historically faced barriers to healthcare access and left many uninsured. Advocates highlight the potential for life-changing impacts as affordable insurance becomes available to this group. An estimated 100,000 DACA recipients and other immigrants could now qualify for coverage, and some will be eligible for financial assistance based on income and tax status.
This change comes after the Biden administration finalized the rule in May 2024. Although the program faces ongoing legal challenges with new DACA applications being halted since 2021, current recipients remain eligible to renew their status and are now eligible to apply for healthcare.
How to Learn More
To explore coverage options or enroll, visit healthcare.gov or your state’s insurance marketplace. Don’t wait! Open enrollment ends January 15, 2025.
This update represents a pivotal moment for DACA recipients– many of whom can now access affordable healthcare and take a crucial step toward better health and well-being.
